Themes and message
Life and death
The short story “The Garden Party” by Katherine Mansfield explores the theme of life and death. The theme is hinted at when Jose sings the song “This Life is Weary” (l. 162): “ ‘This Life is Wee-ary, A Tear - a Sigh. A Love that Chan-ges, This Life is Wee-ary, A Tear - a Sigh. A Love that Chan-ges, And then ... Good-bye!’ ” (ll. 166-167). The song suggests that living means experiencing pain and suffering, something which Laura cannot understand yet.
The theme is explored when Laura goes to the poor neighborhood and visits the Scotts’ house. When she takes a look at the dead man, she is impressed by what she sees:
What did garden-parties and baskets and lace frocks matter to him? He was far from all those things. He was wonderful, beautiful. While they were laughing and while the band was playing, this ma...